Published on: June 8, 2010

Current 3 is an interactive light installation in Denver as part of Lodolights event designed by sculptor Virginia Folkestad in collaboration with 186 Lighting Design Group.

More information from one of the organizers of the Lodolights event, Diane Huntress, who is also the photographer of all the photos:

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This Installation is meant to give users of the Wynkoop St. Railroad Bridge an immersive experience; a change from the usual, familiar occurrence of traveling across the bridge. Passersby become aware of their place in time and space.

It invites the visitor to take control and become a participant in the completion of the work by turning the bridge into a kinetic sculpture. The light that appears in response to movement, invites one to explore further by continuing to cross the bridge.  Concurrently, projections of drawings onto the deck of the bridge give a nod to its rail history and it’s significance in the development of Denver.

When at rest and no pedestrians are on the bridge, Current 3  breathes.  The Bridge exhales as the RGB LED color projectors dim and shift from a blue to a lavender, then inhales again as the lights increase in intensity and turn back to a saturated blue.

The timing of the breathing was set on site to match the rhythm of someone walking and breathing.  People can sync with the breathing of the installation as they approach and step onto the bridge.

As people cross the bridge, electronic trip sensors trigger events.  Light patterns with artist designed gobos are projected for short bursts, while the color projectors change colors and move from the breathing mode to the static color mode for a pre-determined time period.  With a single person crossing the bridge, the effects follow them before returning to the breathing mode.

The last event is triggered by a trip sensor near the edge of the bridge, encouraging people to turn around and look back at Current 3  as they exit the final event.  The installation interacts with groups of people much differently than it does with a single person.

As people walk both directions or in groups, the event triggers are reset at varying times such that Current 3  gives each visitor their own unique experience.

All photos by Diane Huntress.

Use of those images is subject to them being used for this article only. Publication of any image in any form or fashion must include a credit for Diane Huntress Photography. For further usage permission please contact diane@lodolights.org.